For Some Anti-Abortion Rights Voters This Year, Neither Candidate Appeals

Editors Note: Comments made for or against a specific candidate were personal comments and do not reflect the views of the organization.

The 2016 Democratic Party platform includes strong pro-abortion rights language. It opposes Republican efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, as well as bids to overturn the Hyde Amendment, which limits federal funding for abortions. In contrast, the Republican platform called for repealing Roe vs. Wade and adding a "personhood" amendment to the Constitution, which protects a fetus from the beginning of its development.

Here & Now's Robin Young talks to Edel Finnegan, executive director of the Pro-Life Union of Greater Philadelphia, about how abortion is being talked about by the parties and the candidates this year.

On whether she thinks she has a candidate to vote for this fall:

"I think whenever people are committed to human dignity, and they particularly want to address lives lost to abortion, it's hard to find the candidate that speaks to all your issues. It's particularly hard, especially hard, this year because the democratic convention — this is the most extreme platform that they've ever had, and even Democrats for Life have even spoken out and addressed that, and they're having something here this week saying one in three democrats are actually pro-life, but that's not addressed at all in the platform.

The Republican platform is the most conservative it’s been, calling for the defunding of Planned Parenthood, which we absolutely agree with. I think it's hard when particularity candidates don't speak to the heart issues that matter the most to pro-life and people who want to affirm the sanctity of human life."

On her thoughts about the Republican platform:

"I agree on the Republican platform on life issues. It's hard because while the platform is the most conservative, and addresses issues of human dignity and the sanctity of human life, particularly for the unborn, the candidate doesn't speak to those issues."

On Donald Trump's previous support of Planned Parenthood's services:

"What I’d say about Planned Parenthood is that they are the biggest abortion provider in the country. The other services that they provide should be provided by real healthcare facilities, so that those women who do not believe in abortion are not subjected to receiving health care there.

If you're in poverty, struggling financially, and you need help with your health care, why are you being forced to go to Planned Parenthood? All you have to do is stand outside any abortion facility in the city of Philadelphia, have conversations with the women that are going in there that feel they don’t have any other choice to come there, when actually that isn't true. There are health care facilities. The city health care clinics that provide many of the same services."

"Currently, I'm not a fan of the two party system. I think it puts people who care about human dignity in really tough position. I don't think any party is really speaking to that issue."

Edel Finnegan

It’s sounding like Donald Trump can’t be your candidate.

"It’s a challenge every year, but particularly this year for people who want to affirm the sanctity of human life, who believe in that and want to restore respect for the unborn child. It’s difficult to get behind a candidate that doesn't speak to that issue himself. It doesn't seem he understands it. That being said, no pro-life person, who sincerely holds that belief, if that's your issue, you're not going to vote for Hillary Clinton. That’s just not going to happen."

On her thoughts on the Republican Convention:

"I think the social issues didn't get a lot of play this year in the Republican convention. I think that's an honest reflection of where we are in this country. I think people are more concerned about safety, security, jobs, their own personal lives. People believe that abortion doesn't impact their lives, so therefore it doesn't necessarily need to be addressed, and I think that's what Donald Trump and the Republican Convention, they addressed it in the platform. It wasn't really addressed in other ways.

I think on the Democrat side, it will be spoken about because I think the party that’s extreme on abortion is the Democrat party. I'm not a fan of the two party system. Let's just say it that way. Currently, I'm not a fan of the two party system. I think it puts people who care about human dignity in really tough position. I don't think any party is really speaking to that issue."

Edel Finnegan, executive director of the Pro-Life Union of Greater Philadelphia.